Christopher Gillis
Encyclopedia
Christopher Gillis was an important gay male dancer and choreographer and member of the Paul Taylor Dance Company
.
Born in Montreal, Quebec, the son of the late Gene Gillis, a US Olympic skier, and Rhona Wurtele, a Canadian Olympic skier who competed in the 1948 Winter Olympics
along with her twin sister Rhoda. His sister, Margie Gillis
, is also a dancer and choreographer; they were dance partners from childhood and collaborated on numerous shows. His brother, Jere Gillis
, played professional hockey from 1977 to 1987 for the Vancouver Canucks
, New York Rangers
, Quebec Nordiques
, Buffalo Sabres
, and the Philadelphia Flyers
.
He joined the Paul Taylor Dance Company in 1976 in New York City
. He lived and worked in New York for the next seventeen years. He was designated Taylor's heir-apparent. He died from AIDS
complications.
Paul Taylor Dance Company
Paul Taylor Dance Company, is a contemporary dance company, formed by Paul Taylor, an American choreographer of the 20th century. One of the early touring companies of American modern dance, the Company has "performed in more than 500 cities in 62 countries" and still spends more than half of each...
.
Born in Montreal, Quebec, the son of the late Gene Gillis, a US Olympic skier, and Rhona Wurtele, a Canadian Olympic skier who competed in the 1948 Winter Olympics
1948 Winter Olympics
The 1948 Winter Olympics, officially known as the V Olympic Winter Games, was a winter multi-sport event celebrated in 1948 in St. Moritz, Switzerland. The Games were the first to be celebrated after World War II; it had been twelve years since the last Winter Games in 1936...
along with her twin sister Rhoda. His sister, Margie Gillis
Margie Gillis
Margie Gillis, CM, CQ is a Canadian solo dancer and choreographer whose most commonly known dance style is modern.Born in Acton Vale, Quebec, the daughter of Gene Gillis, an Olympic skier, and Rhona Wurtele, a Canadian Olympic skier. Her brother, Jere Gillis played professional hockey...
, is also a dancer and choreographer; they were dance partners from childhood and collaborated on numerous shows. His brother, Jere Gillis
Jere Gillis
Jere Alan Gillis is a retired Canadian professional ice hockey player, actor and stuntman....
, played professional hockey from 1977 to 1987 for the Vancouver Canucks
Vancouver Canucks
The Vancouver Canucks are a professional ice hockey team based in Vancouver, :British Columbia, Canada. They are members of the Northwest Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . The Canucks play their home games at Rogers Arena, formerly known as General Motors Place,...
, New York Rangers
New York Rangers
The New York Rangers are a professional ice hockey team based in the borough of Manhattan in New York, New York, USA. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . Playing their home games at Madison Square Garden, the Rangers are one of the...
, Quebec Nordiques
Quebec Nordiques
The Quebec Nordiques were a professional ice hockey team based in Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. The Nordiques played in the World Hockey Association and the National Hockey League...
, Buffalo Sabres
Buffalo Sabres
The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...
, and the Philadelphia Flyers
Philadelphia Flyers
The Philadelphia Flyers are a professional ice hockey team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...
.
He joined the Paul Taylor Dance Company in 1976 in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. He lived and worked in New York for the next seventeen years. He was designated Taylor's heir-apparent. He died from AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
complications.
As choreographer
- Ne Me Quitte Pas 1993
- Landscape 1993
- Ghost Stories (around 1985?)
- Andalusian Green 1992
- Icarus At Night 1991
- Luvs Alphabet 1989
- Spell It Out 1988
- Paean 1987
- VeRS La Glace 1986
- Thin Ice 1982
As dancer
- LUVS ALPHABET 1989
- TIME OUT 1989
- GIVE ME YOUR HEART TONIGHT 2 1983
- DUET 1982
- THIN ICE 1982
- Fact and Fancy 3 Epitaphs & All / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1991
- Of Bright & Blue Birds & the Gala Sun 1990
- The Sorcerer's Sofa / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1989
- Minikin Fair / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1989
- Speaking in Tongues / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1988
- Danbury Mix / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1988
- Counterswarm / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1988
- Brandenburgs / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1988
- Syzygy / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1987
- Kith and Kin / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1987
- A Musical Offering / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1986
- Ab Ovo Usque Ad Mala (From Soup to Nuts) / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1986
- Roses / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1985
- Byzantium / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1984
- Equinox / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1983
- Snow White / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1983
- Sunset / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1983
- Mecuric Tidings / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1982
- Lost, Found and Lost / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1981
- House of Cards / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1981
- Arden Court / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1981
- Le Sacre du Printemps (the Rehearsal) / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1980
- Profiles / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1979
- Nightshade / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1979
- Diggity / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1978
- Airs / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1978
- Aphrodisiamania / choreographed by Paul Taylor 1977
- Dust / choreographed by Paul Taylor) 1977
- Images / choreographed by Paul Taylor) 1977
- Polaris / choreographed by Paul Taylor) 1976
- Cloven Kingdom / choreographed by Paul Taylor) 1976
Film
- Eye on Dance, Produced by: Celia Ipiotis. Documentary/Interview with Margie and Christopher Gillis, ARC Videodance NY 1990
Resources
Further reading
He is mentioned in the books:- Moving Words: Re-Writing Dance, by Gary Morris
- Beyond Shame: Reclaiming the Abandoned History of Radical Gay Sexuality, by Patrick Moore
- The American Dance Festival, by Jack AndersonJack Anderson (dance critic)Jack Anderson is an American dance critic and author. Since 1978, he has been a contributor of dance reviews and other articles in The New York Times...